Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

21. Chapter 21

The blood is not sweet. But it quenches the thirst. It is not pleasure, like human blood, but it is enough to stop the fire in my throat.

I do my utmost not to think of what I kill.

The animal howls- Jacob- and falls drained to the earth.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I know Edward does not hear.

There is a moment of silence. “So, this is how we hunt. Perhaps it’s not sinless, killing to live, but it is resoundingly the lesser of two evils,” he says finally.

I nod my agreement. The pain, as always, is salved by his presence. I am not in agony. He is here.

Later, when he goes to his room and I to mine, it will be agony. I have just killed a creature that looks so much like Jacob. The one who helped me, healed me, loved me without asking anything in return… and finally left me. Because everyone does in the end.

What is it about me? That I should be so attracted to myths and legends, so resistant to love from one of my own kind, and that the most unattainable creatures should shower me with their beautiful love- for a little while.

But for me, the fairytale always ended.

I turn and run. I can’t afford to think about this, not with a deception to further.

The house appears in instants.

“Wait,” I whisper.

Edward spins and looks directly in my eyes.

This is it. The final step. I feel such an aching pressure. I have to say this. Right now, right here.

“Edward, I’m…”

There is a crashing sound. I break from the desired words, from the stuttered confession, and look straight up in the direction of the noise.

I see Edward’s face follow the arc of my gaze.

What I see there is too strange for words, but I’ll try…

It appears that Emmett has fallen out the window. He is waving his arms back and forth…

Chased by an irate Esme.

“What on earth!”

He echoes my thoughts perfectly.

“Run!” Emmett screams at us, and he sounds perfectly serious for a change. Edward and I share a glance and run back into the forest.

“What were you going to say?”

“Nevermind.” This is definitely not the time.

Within seconds, Emmett, Esme, and the rest of the family reach the ground and take off running.

“What…” Edward begins.

Carlisle hisses back at him. “No time!”

We run faster.

The trees blur and disappear, each melding with the others. We’re going as fast as our legs can carry us, which is saying something.

There is no conversation, and I am understandably quite confused. I haven’t the faintest idea why we’re fleeing from our home. I am also rather put out I didn’t get the chance to proclaim my undying love to Edward.

Of course, it could be a sign- that we need more time. That actually seems more likely.

Although I’d still like to know where we’re going and what’s wrong.

However, there’s something comforting in the fact that I am running with my family. I may not be myself, but at last I am one of them.